ASBESTOS MICROSCOPY

ASBESTOS MICROSCOPY
ASBESTOS MICROSCOPY
ASBESTOS MICROSCOPY
ASBESTOS MICROSCOPY
ASBESTOS MICROSCOPY
 Asbestos Microscopes and Accessories
Pyser-SGI has been supplying microscopes and accessories into Asbestos
Laboratories for over 40 years
 PS12 Stage Micrometer with UKAS Certificate of Calibration - For calibrating
microscope and eyepiece graticule
 Walton and Beckett Eyepiece Graticules – 3 versions – For counting and sizing of
fibres.
 HSE/NPL Phase Contrast Test Slide with Certificate – For checking the resolution of
the phase contrast microscope.
 Phase Contrast Microscope – For analysis/counting of fibres
 Polarisation Microscope – For identifying fibre types
 Stereo Microscopes – For initial examination of materials

For most asbestos laboratories there is a need

PS12 Stage Calibration for traceability of calibration, therefore Pyser
Standard recommend that the PS12 is supplied with a
UKAS certificate of calibration. This calibration is
traceable back through the National Physical
The PS12 stage calibration standard has a Laboratory (The UK’s National Metrology
0.1mm length scale in 50 x 2-micron divisions. Institute) and then onto the International
The scale is centred on a glass disc, mounted in Committee of Weights and Measures (CIPM), so
a stainless steel slide 75mm x 24mm x 2mm is universally accepted around the world.
thick. A unique serial number is engraved into the
stainless steel slide mount. Each slide is supplied
in a polished wooden presentation/storage box to
distinguish it as a traceable standard of high
value.

Being 0.1mm long, this scale is ideally suited for

calibration of any microscope being used for
asbestos analysis with a Walton & Beckett
graticule.

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 The Walton and Beckett graticules are used for
Walton and Beckett counting fibrous dust and are particularly useful
Eyepiece Graticules where the majority of fibres to be counted are
shorter than 5 microns. The circle is divided into
When counting asbestos samples, it has been four by two diametrical lines scaled in units of 5
found that limiting the area of evaluation to that and 3 microns. 3 and 5 microns are the critical
defined by the grid on an eyepiece graticule can measurements of fibre lengths and diameter
give significantly higher operator concentration used in fibre counting. Unlike the usual globes of
values than when the full field of view of the other particle graticules the Walton and Beckett
microscope is used. The published work by S T has a series of shapes to compare objects with.
Beckett et al in 1976 recommended that the These shapes have been designed for
graticule grid method of counting be adopted for comparison with fibres, especially since they
asbestos analysis and that steps be taken to incorporate aspect ratios of 3:1 (G22) or 5:1
reach national or, preferably, international (G24) essential for such analysis.
agreement on a standard form of graticule. The
Walton and Beckett graticule was designed Based on the G22, the G25 is produced to a new
specifically for the evaluation of fibrous dust and design by the Institute of Occupational Health in
was adopted worldwide. 1996.

G22 G24 G25

defined as 4. Our standard Walton and Beckett

Calibration Factors for Walton and
graticules are made with a calibration factor of 4,
Beckett Graticules. however it is important to check the exact
calibration as microscopes do vary. We can make
The circle on the Walton and Beckett graticule
these graticules with calibration factors to suit the
must represent 100 microns at the stage of the
actual calibration of your microscope. When
microscope when used with a 40x objective lens.
placing your order please state the diameter of
the graticule required and, if a special
The microscope needs to be calibrated to ensure
calibration is required, provide the calibration
that the Walton and Beckett graticule will give true
measurements when it is fitted – see example
below.

To calibrate your instrument, fit the microscope

with an eyepiece scale (for example, our part
NE1) and the appropriate stage micrometer (see
the article on our part PS12 on facing page).
An exact calibration factor can then be
calculated.

For example, using a 40x objective, a circle in the

eyepiece requires a diameter of 4000 microns
(4mm) to coincide with or read a 100-micron
circle on the stage. The calibration is therefore
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 “Recommended Technical Method No. 1”,
S84 HSE/NPL MKIII Test and many other publications around the world.
Slide for Calibration in The use of the HSE/NPL slide is also required in
Asbestos Analysis the method adopted by the Health and Safety
Commission to determine compliance with UK
asbestos control limits. It has been adopted
The S84 test slide is made in the UK under
worldwide as the standard for testing phase
licence from the National Physical Laboratories
contrast microscopes.
and is used to verify the resolution of phase
contrast microscopes used for the analysis of
The slide comprises 7 bands, with 20 lines in
asbestos fibres.
each, and the width of the lines decreases in
each band. These lines will show up under phase
It is an epoxy replica of a master slide produced
contrast microscopy. The microscope used for
and certified by that laboratory. The replicas are
asbestos counting and analysis must be capable
mounted on microscope slides of 1.2mm
of viewing band 5 and partially viewing band 6.
thickness with cover glass of 0.17mm thickness.
The slide is recommended by the Asbestos
International Association in their publication,

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Phase Contrast Compound
Microscope
This is probably the most important of the microscopes
as it is the instrument that allows the size and
concentration of asbestos fibres to be analysed.

The most widely used method of measuring airborne

asbestos is to collect the fibres on a membrane filter
and then count them by phase contrast microscopy.
The counting procedure is detailed in numerous
documents around the world with the original
description in a publication by the Asbestos Research
Council (A.R.C. 1971) and in the B.O.H.S. (1968)
standard.

The Pyser B-500pl is probably the most comprehensive

and cost effective solution to your phase contrast
requirements. It is fitted with both infinity corrected
brightfield and phase contrast objectives and supplied
with standard and Walton and Beckett eyepieces
making it suitable not only for the analysis of asbestos,
but also for other examinations in the laboratory.
The B-500pl satisfies the requirements of HSE for The Pyser B-500pl
identifying band 5 on the test slide.

Specifications: B-500pl

Body: Die cast aluminium Stage: Dual layer mechanical stage,

Head: Binocular or Trinocular with 30º 175x145 mm with low level controls
inclined eyepieces, 360º rotating Focussing: Coaxial coarse and fine focusing
Eyepieces: Paired WF10x/22mm with high-point system with focusing stop
view. Paired WF12.5x with Walton & mechanism
Beckett graticule Condenser: Abbe N.A. 1.25 with centring
Objectives: Infinity corrected Plan Achromatic system, phase ring and green filter
4x, 10x, 40x, 100x (oil), Phase Illumination: High efficiency system with halogen
contrast PH40X with phase ring, 20W dichroic lamp, adjustable with
Quintuple reversed nosepiece Köhler illumination

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 Polarising Microscope
This microscope allows the identification of individual
fibre types using polarisation of light to give distinct
colours. The McCrone dispersion staining objective,
which enhances the colours and allows better
identification of the fibres is sometimes fitted to this
microscope.

The Pyser B-600 polarising microscope is a research

standard instrument with advanced features to enhance
the image quality.

Specifications: B-600

Body: Die cast aluminium

Head: Trinocular, 30° inclined, 360°
rotating with adjustable The Pyser B-600
interpupillary distance
Eyepieces: Paired WF10X/22mm with
diopter adjustment
Bertrand lens: Swing-out type, centrable, 360°
rotating.
Polarising attachment: Blue filter, 0°-90° rotating
analysing filter, λ slip (first class
red), 1/4 λ slip, quartz wedge
Objectives: Plan IOS POL (strain-free)
4x/0.10, 10x/0.25, 40x/0.65,
60x/0.85 on reversed
quadruple nosepiece with
centring mechanism for all
objectives
Focusing system: Coaxial coarse and fine
Stage: 160mm diameter, 360° rotating
with stop knob and 0.1° vernier
Condenser: Abbe 1.2 N.A., with iris
diaphragm, focusable and
centrable, with rotating polarising
filter (swing-out type).
Illumination: 12V/50W halogen bulb in
external case. Centrable bulb
and brightness control.

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Stereo Microscopes XES-70C-2L

For the initial examination of asbestos fibre samples a

stereo microscope is recommended. This microscope
has two separate optical paths and so views an image
with perspective, making it ideal for looking at 3D
specimens.

The simplest design is the Pyser XES-70C-2L stereo

microscope with 20x and 40x magnification, selectable
by rotating the objective turret. With the benefit of dual
lighting, this microscope also has single control
focussing and is simple to operate.

Specifications: XES-70C-2L

Body: Die cast aluminium

Head: 45º inclined binocular head with adjustable
interpupillary distance from 55mm to 75mm
Eyepiece: Paired W10x with ±5 diopter adjustment on
one eyepiece
Objective: Rotating turret with 2x and 4x objectives
Stage/Stand: Removable and interchangeable
white/black and frosted glass plate
94.5mm diameter with spring clips
Focussing: Rack and pinion
Illumination: Incident and transmitted halogen lamps,
independently switchable

If you need a more advanced microscope with zoom

XES-80T-2L
magnification then Pyser offers the XES-80T-2L.
This microscope has a trinocular head to allow
cameras to be connected – often useful when
preparing reports. The zoom control allows users to
increase or decrease the magnification so that the
specimen can be viewed in detail.

Specifications: XES-80T-2L

Body: Die cast aluminium

Head: 45º trinocular head with adjustable
interpupillary distance from 55mm to
75mm. C-mount camera adaptor included
Eyepiece: Paired W10x with ±5 diopter adjustment
on one eyepiece
Objective: Zoom range 1:4 (7.5x to 35x as standard)
Auxiliary objectives available to expand
magnification range.
Stage/Stand: Removable and interchangeable
white/black and frosted glass plate
94.5mm diameter with spring clips
Focussing: Rack and pinion
Illumination: Incident and transmitted halogen lamps,
independently switchable
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 Item Ref. Description Diameter/Head Order Code
Type

PS12 Micrometer Scale 0.1mm in 0.002mm divisions 05A01043

PS12 with UKAS certificate 05A01043/NAM
PS12 with NPL Certificate 05A01043/NPL

G22 Walton/Beckett for Asbestos 3-1 Ratio.

All with calibration factor of 4. 16mm 01A16062
19mm 01A19062
21mm 01A21062
23mm 01A23062
24mm 01A24062
26mm 01A26062
27mm 01A27062
Other diameters and/or other calibration factors Others

G24 Walton/Beckett For Asbestos 5-1 Ratio.

All with calibration factor of 4. 16mm 01A16063
19mm 01A19063
21mm 01A21063
23mm 01A23063
24mm 01A24063
26mm 01A26063
27mm 01A27063
Other diameters and/or calibration factors Others

G25 Walton/Beckett (1996). All with calibration

factor of 4. 16mm 01A16085
19mm 01A19085
21mm 01A21085
23mm 01A23085
24mm 01A24085
26mm 01A26085
27mm 01A27085
Other diameters and/or calibration factors Others

S 84 HSE/NPL Test Slide for Phase Contrast

Calibration in Asbestos Analysis 02F00490
HSE recommend that the S84 is re-tested
every 3 years

B-500pl Pyser B-500pl Phase Contrast

Compound Microscope Binocular 780-510
Trinocular 780-511

B-600pol Pyser B-600pol Polarising Microscope Trinocular 780-620

XES-70 Pyser XES-70C-2L Stereo Microscope with 2x/4x

objectives. Also available with 1x/3x objectives Binocular 730-308

XES-80T Pyser XES-80T-2L Stereo Zoom Microscope Trinocular 735-143

PYSER - SGI LIMITED

Fircroft Way, Edenbridge, Kent,
United Kingdom, TN8 6HA
Telephone: +44 (0)1732 864111
Facsimilie: +44 (0)1732 865544
Email:[email protected]
www.pyser-sgi.com
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May2011 E & OE